Collapsible mop frame



Feb. 21, 1967 D. H. STURM 3,304,567

COLLAPSIBLE MOP FRAME Filed Oct. 19, 1965 |L/ al lll/Il//nl INVENIOR DIETRICH H. STUFQM @W @f7/M ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 21, 1967 3,304,567 COLLAPSIBLE MOP FRAME Dietrich Heinrich Sturm, 4020 N. 23rd St., Milwaukee, Wis. 53209 Filed Get. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 497,611 2 Claims. (Cl. 15-147) This invention relates Ito dust mops, and more particularly to the mop block yor frame which supports the string mop structure to secure it in operating position.

So-called string mops .are elongated structures formed with a fabric backing to which is attached, by various means, .a multiplicity of strings or cords, the backing in: cluding at each end a pocket structure into which tits a frame or block having a handle .attached thereto for the manipulation of the mop across a floor surface.

The present invention has for its main object .a mop back or trame structure including a [hinged termina-1 por- 'tion to permit the terminal portion to be swung on its hinge out of its normal plane to facilitate the entry of the frame or block into the end pockets of the mop structure.

Further objects of the invention will more clearly hereinafter appear by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of the instant specification and wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding p-arts throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. l is a longitudinal section through one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the struct-ure of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the hinged end portion of the structure of FIG. l; and

FIG. 4 shows a modified form of mop block involving the instant invention.

Referring to the form of the invention shown -in FIG. 1, the mop per se comprises a canvas backing 1 to which is 'attached a multiplicity of cords or strings 2 for-ming the mopping or dusting surface of the -rnop structure. The ends of the elongated mop backing 1 'are inwardly and upwardly turned at 4 and 5 to provide terminal pockets 6. The terminal pockets 6 are of a pre-determined dimension to receive .a yblock member, mop holder or frame which is shown in the preferred form of the invention as comprising yan elongated metal plate 7 having its longitudinal marginal edges strengthened by reinforcing rods i8 and 8a which may .be fixed in position in any suitable manner, as by rolling the metall of plate 7 there- `about or -by welding lat spaced points throughout the structure, the reinforcing rods 8 'and y8a obviously being provided to strengthen the plate 7 to hold the same in rigid horizontal position during use of the device.

The plate 7 is further lreinforced by transverse top panels 9 and 10 positioned at spaced points at each side of the center of the structure, the transverse panels 9 and 10 being spaced from and above the plate 7 'and are welded to the side edges of the reinforcing rods 8 and 8a to retain the rods 8 and 8a .and the plate 7 in place and to generally stiifen the structure. The handle A is carried by the plate 7 in the usual manner. The plate 7 and its hinged extension 7a are provided Ialong their entire length with a multiplicity of perforations 11 to permit the use of a chemical, such as oil, which can be dispersed over the top of the plate sections 7 and 7a and which will seep through the plate perfor-ations 11 and onto the mop structures 1 and 2.

The instant invention comprises means to facilitate the insertion of the mop holder plate assembly 7 and 7a into the mop structure, this means being illustrated in detail in FIG. 3 and comprising the provision of the hinged terminal section 7a connected to the main mop plate 7 by a hinge 14, the hinge 14 rhaving its leaf 15 fixed to the main plate 7 and its leaf 16 connected to the terminal portion 7a of the plate 7. The hinged terminal portion 7a extends transversely through the reinforcing panel 10 so that this reinforcing panel is severed a-nd a portion 10a provides a reinforcement for the hinged terminal 7a of the mop plate or block structure.

Mounted on the top of the sectional transverse reinforcing panels 10 and 10a is the looped cam lock structure including the Ihinge section 20 eccentri'cally carrying the wire loop 21 and Ihinged at its inner end portion whereby the loop can be cammed to move forwardly or rearwardly in accordance with the position of the hinge section 20 to engage the keeper 22 formed with an arcuate recess 23 to receive the Wire loop 21 when the latter is swung rearwardly by the sea-ting of the pivoted hinge section 20. 'Ihe two sections of the cam lock structure are mounted on the sections 10 and 10a of the transverse reinforcing panel, as best shown in FIG. 3.

lt will 'be understood that 4the backing structure 1 of the mop element which .carries the wiping cords 2 is generally of relatively stiff non-elastic material so that stretc ing of the mopping structure is not practical. It is, therefore, extremely diimrlt for an operator to place a rifgid mop backing plate within the pockets 6 of `a non-stretch able mop structure wit-hout rupturing or distortingr the same. Likewise, it is desirable to maintain the mopping structure and its wiping cords 2 in a horizontal plane during use of the device. By the present structure, when the frame or block assembly is -to lbe inserted in the pockets of a mopping element, the loop 21 can be released Ifrom its keeper 22 by swinging the hinge member 20 upwardly and the hinged terminal lsection 7a can be swung downwardly to a position whereby the same can be inserted into the pocket 6. When so positioned, the hinged terminal 7a can be swung upwardly to a position in a common plane with the main plate `section 7 and locked into position by swinging the hinge section 20 downwardly to bring the loop 21 into engagement with the keeper 22 t0 clam-p the same into rigid position. It will be noted that the faces 25 of the two mop plate sections 7 and 7a when the same are in coplanar position are in *abutting relationship so that the entire structure will be held in xed rigid posit-ion.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the mop block or frame includes a wooden filler 30 above and fixed to the perforated metal plate 31, the latter being provided with the perforations 32 to permit the oil to seep therethrough onto the mopping surface. The wood liller 30 will be clamped into position by the use of studs 33 which are xed at their base to the metal backing plate 31 and project vertically to extend through perforations in the filler block 30. Thumb screws 34 will clamp the wood filler in place and the latter will be provided at spaced points with elongated slots 35 through which the oil or other material may be dispersed onto the perforated metal backing plate 31.

In this form of the invention the wood filler 30, which reinforces the metal backing 31, is formed in sections adjacent one end and the sections are hinged together by hinge 36, the leaves 37 and 38 of which are fixed to the wood sections. It will also be noted that the metal backing plate 31 is likewise formed in corresponding sections, which sections are carried by the sectional wood ller 30. By having the hinge at the bottom of the wood filler, and between the wood filler 30 and the metal plate 31, the end section of the assembly can be swung downwardly from its planar position for insertion into a pocket at the end of a mopping structure in the same manner as shown in FIG. 3 in the rst form of the invention.

In the disclosure of FIG. 4, the sections of the lock clamp are mounted on the respective sections of the wood ller 30 and as shown at 40 and 41. The section 41 of the lock assembly is mounted on the hinged terminal of the block carrying the keeper 42 and the actuating lever 43 and the loop 44 are mounted on the main portion of the wood filler 30. The lock structure is identical in both forms of the invention and in the disclosure of FIG. 4 it will be noted that the iiller block sections, when in their common horizontal plane, abut to provide a rigid operating position. It will also be noted that the metal plate 31 at the point of the hinge is provided with a spaced area to permit the swinging of the terminal section to the lowered position. The spacing of the sections of the backing plate in FIG. 4 is in the same manner as in the disclosure of FIG. 3, i.e., the metal plate hinge section being spaced to permit the functioning of the hinge while the upper part of the lock structure and its mounting are positioned to come to an abutting position to provide rigidity to the assembly.

It will be noted that the sections of the lock clamp are mounted to abut in a plane normal to the plane of plate 7 of the frame and that the lock sections when they abut form a stop preventing the upward displacement of the hinged section 7a above the plane of the main plate section 7, whereby when a mop assembly is positioned thereon in the manner described the mop will be retained in a horizontal plane.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with an elongated mop structure including a nonstretchable fabric back and inwardly facing terminal pockets above the back, a frame for use with said mop structure compri-sing an elongated perforated plate and a handle mounted thereon, said plate being formed with a main section and a hinged section at one end, whereby the end frame section can be swung on its hinge downwardly for insertion into one pocket after the free end of the main frame section has been inserted in the other pocket, stop means for holding the end section of said frame in an aligned position with respect to the main section, and means for locking the end section of the plate with the main section when the parts are aligned, including a lever mounted on a pivot on one section of the plate with a loop mounted on said lever at a point spaced from said pivot and a keeper member mounted on the other section of the plate.

2. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that a sectional filler is mounted on and extends along the main and hinged plate sections, the sectional filler being formed with slots and mounting the locking means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,081,225 12/ 1913 Feasel 15-229 1,187,609 6/1916 Channell 15-229 1,256,989 2/1918 Duncan 15--228 1,259,781 3/1918 Saal 15-229 1,437,789 12/ 1922 Whyte 15-229 1,652,102 12/1927 Elmer et al.

2,192,861 3/1940 Burchell 15-147 2,419,748 4/1947 Weber et al 15-233 XR 2,840,840 7/1958 Yamen 15-147 2,932,048 4/1960 Yamen et al 15-147 3,026,554 3/1962 Palma et al. 15-l19 3,085,271 4/1963 Janssen 15--229 XR 3,162,879 12/1964 Smyth 15--147 3,162,887 12/1964 Schwartz 15-561 DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner. 

1. FOR USE WITH AN ELONGATED MOP STRUCTURE INCLUDING A NON-STRETCHABLE FABRIC BACK AND INWARDLY FACING TERMINAL POCKETS ABOVE THE BACK, A FRAME FOR USE WITH SAID MOP STRUCTURE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED PERFORATED PLATE AND A HANDLE MOUNTED THEREON, SAID PLATE BEING FORMED WITH A MAIN SECTION AND A HINGED SECTION AT ONE END, WHEREBY THE END FRAME SECTION CAN BE SWUNG ON ITS HINGE DOWNWARDLY FOR INSERTION INTO ONE POCKET AFTER THE FREE END OF THE MAIN FRAME SECTION HAS BEEN INSERTED IN THE OTHER POCKET, STOP MEANS FOR HOLDING THE END SECTION OF SAID FRAME IN AN ALIGNED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE MAIN SECTION, AND MEANS FOR LOCKING THE END SECTION OF THE PLATE WITH THE MAIN SECTION WHEN THE PARTS ARE ALIGNED, INCLUDING A LEVER MOUNTED ON A PIVOT ON ONE SECTION OF THE PLATE WITH A LOOP MOUNTED ON SAID LEVER AT A POINT SPACED FROM SAID PIVOT AND A KEEPER MEMBER MOUNTED ON THE OTHER SECTION OF THE PLATE. 